It Happened HereMarch 4, 2015
It Happened Here
Eighty Years Ago
1935
The 75-year-old Huegely mill burned, causing a loss estimated at $100,000. Charles Evilsizer, a local fireman, was critically injured fighting the blaze.
The Illinois Supreme Court ruled that Illinois Route 177 would take the east path through Okawville.
Back’s Department Store in Nashville advertised men’s suits for $11.75.
Okawville residents were to vote on a waterworks bond issue of $10.
Deaths: James Harris of Nashville; Herbert Seifert, 40, of Venedy; Anna Rather of Nashville; and Mrs. Ezra Hutchings of Rice.
Seventy-Five Years Ago
1940
The new Kirchhoefer garage building on East Main Street in Nashville was nearing completion.
Harry Sternberg liquidated his shoe store to return to the real estate business.
Orville Poirot accepted a position as manager of the Co-Operative Elevator in Prairie Du Rocher.
Only four clear days were recorded in February, with some sun on 15 days, well below normal. The main temperature for the month was 33.7 degrees, 1.1 degrees below normal.
Hahne and Hileman had a large selection of high chairs from $2.
Corn was selling at 55 cents a bushel. Eggs were 16 cents a dozen in trade.
Toedte Brothers advertised Maytag washers for $59.95.
Deaths: Orval Freeman, 31, of Nashville; Jacob Legendre, formerly of Du Bois Township; and Harvey Bryant, formerly of Richview.
Seventy Years Ago
1945
Nashville Rotary Club observed its 40th anniversary.
Plans were underway for the organization of a Washington County Soil and Water Conservation District.
The local War Price Rationing Board listed the following price ceilings: apples, two pounds for 29 cents; bananas, 12 cents a pound; green or wax beans, 24 cents a pound; and white potatoes, 1944 crop, five pounds for 32 cents.
Okawville’s Sandalcraft Shoe Factory opened a branch in Addieville. The factory also had operations in Hoyleton and Germantown.
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Craig of Oakdale received word that their son, Robert, was missing in action in France.
Sgt. Edward Rueter of New Minden was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroism in France.
Deaths: Fanny Norton of Ashley; Grace Breeze, a native of Irvington; Paul Reidelberger, formerly of Nashville; and Catherine Mendel of Tamaroa.
Sixty-Five Years Ago
1950
The Williamson Stave Mill resumed operations after being idle since July.
The Nashville Brokerage celebrated its grand opening on the north side of the square with a sale on sheets for $1.93 and men’s work shirts at $1.
Electrical use was restricted to 75 percent of the customer’s average weekly use until coal supplies could be restocked due to a nationwide miner’s strike.
The State Theatre in Nashville featured “Tarzan’s Desert Mystery” with Johnny Weismueller.
Jack Probyls, 21, of Trenton, formerly of Nashville, was killed when his automobile struck a concrete bridge abutment.
Other deaths: Mrs. Louis Rolf of Hoyleton; August Blumhorst of Plum Hill; Cassie Croan of Irvington; Christ Rowekamp of Centralia, a native of Hoyleton; Dora Marlow, formerly of Du Bois; and Libbie (McClay) Keller, a native of Oakdale.
Sixty Years Ago
1955
Rural mail routes were to be consolidated around Nashville dropping the number from four to three.
Harold Lathrop, John Chwaszinski and Harry Bronstein filed petitions for alderman in Nashville.
Only two families had children in the Kerry School, the smallest in Washington County, where six pupils attended.
The Civil Service exam for a position in the Addieville post office was announced. Starting pay for a substitute clerk was $1.365 per hour.
Deaths: Vance Woodrome, a native of Ashley; James Hawthrone, formerly of Richview; Everett McCowen of Waltonville; and Mrs. Herman Schmidt of Okawville.
Fifty-Five Years Ago
1960
Bids were scheduled to be opened April 29 for a new Ashley Post Office.
Cliff’s Market in Addieville advertised Sealtest milk at three half gallons for 89 cents.
Krohne Brothers Lumber and Hardware Co. in Okawville celebrated its grand opening.
Kirchhoefer Motor Co. advertised the new Corvair.
Seventeen freight cars of an MI railroad train were derailed northeast of Nashville.
Deaths: Arvie Carr of Nashville; Martin Jacob, a native of Okawville; Lydia Dodillet, a native of Hoyleton; and Christ Schumacher of Okawville.
Fifty Years Ago
1965
The Women’s Guild of St. John United Church of Christ at Plum Hill observed its 10th anniversary.
Ann Kay Hoffman and Jackie Frederking of Nashville were awarded scholarships in the fashion field and were accepted by the Patricia Stevens Career College and Finishing School in St. Louis, Missouri, for the fall term.
Work was progressing on the addition to the Washington County Courthouse.
Deaths: Arthur Decker, 55, of Nashville; George Heminghaus, 73, of Addieville; Grace Moore, 75, of Pontiac; John Seibert, 72, formerly of Du Bois; Bertha Helbig, 75, of Elkton; Catherine Pruno, 70, of Richview; and Lena Rauch, 67, of Billings, MO.
For More, Please Read The March 4 Edition Of The Nashville News.
